World Wide Web. This means something shared by and accessible to the
people of the world. With open standards, implemented by software
protected by a copyleft license, maximum growth is attained. All
contributions can be freely incorporated; all contributors have a stake
in the benefits of their work; work can be built upon work without
limit. Work can be built upon patented work only within the limits of
explicit permission.
We in the free software movement oppose software patents categorically.
The incorporation of patented material would irreversibly break the
trust held by the W3C.
In my opinion, it would be better for the W3C to disband than to split
into two groups: one with a physical continuity of name and organization
that is false to the purpose that name represents, and one outside,
consisting of those who maintain what that organization stood for.
Michael E. Smith, MESmith@panix.com
General Manager, LXNY - New York's Free Software Organization
http://www.lxny.org